AN: Here's the next chapter! Hope everyone likes it! Fili is 59 (14) and Kili is 54 (13).

Fili and Kili walked up to Balin's house and knock on the door, wrapping their jackets closer around themselves. It was almost Christmas time and they had been working at Balin's to earn money for their uncle's and mother's presents. The door opens up and Balin grins at them.

"Good morning Laddie's," Balin said as he stepped to the side and allowed the brother's inside his home. Fili and Kili walked inside, shutting the door behind them. Kili noticed something on the table and walked over, lifting up the leather straps.

"Balin, what's this?" Kili asked as he looked up at Balin. Fili glanced over and, seeing what was in Kili's hand, walked over to look at it himself. Balin glanced over at Fili and Kili and took in what they were looking at.

"That is Dwalin's Christmas present. They are straps for his axes. His old one are beginning to tear," Balin explained and the brother's set the leather straps back down on the table. Balin walked over and took the straps off the table, looking directly at Fili and Kili. "You mustn't tell of this. It's a secret."

Fili and Kili nodded their heads, understanding Balin's position. They uncle and mother have had no idea where they went off to every morning, just that they were staying out of trouble. They would ask but neither of the boys would say anything except that they were helping Balin out. It had been difficult for Kili to not let the secret out but he had given his brother his word and was intent on keeping it.

"Well, then, Laddies, shall we get started?" Balin asked, not waiting for the young heirs to answer before leading them to their task.

KILIFILIKILIFILIKILIFILIKILIFILI

A few days later, Fili and Kili bound down the snow covered road with their packages in their hands, one for their mother and one for their uncle. They had earned enough money to pay for their gifts and they were excited to give it to their mother and uncle. Fili and Kili run up to their door and open it swiftly, the door banging into the wall behind it. Dis and Thorin look up and grimace at the loud bang.

"Fili! Kili!" Dis scolded her sons as they shut the door, Fili making sure not to slam it.

"We apologize mother," Fili and Kili said off-handedly, not noticing Dwalin standing off in the corner. Thorin and Dis shared a look, shaking their heads and smirking at the boys excitement. Fili and Kili hastily run into their room and hide their gifts before coming back out to join Dis and Thorin.

"And where were you two today again?" Thorin asked looking at both of his nephews.

"We were at Balin's," Fili replied as he gave his uncle a look. Thorin smirked in amusement at the boys secrecy. Dis smiled and looked between her sons.

"You should see what Balin got Dwalin for Christmas!" Kili said as his eyes light up.

"Kili…" Thorin and Dis begin to say, trying to stop their youngest from spilling the secret, but Kili spoke over them.

"He got him new leather straps for his axes! They look really nice," Kili continued with a wide grin. Dis and Thorin sighed and glance behind Fili and Kili. Fili looked behind him and notices Dwalin standing against the wall with an amused smirk on his face.

"Uh, Kili," Fili said, tapping his brother's shoulder. Kili furrowed his eyebrows and turns around to see Dwalin looking over at them. Kili's eyes widened and he looked over at his mother and uncle.

"I didn't mean to tell the secret this time. Honest," Kili said, feeling horrible.

"Don't worry," Dwalin said as he pushed off the wall. "I didn't hear anything."

Thorin sent Dwalin a small smile and the two of them say good-bye, Dwalin leaving to meet his brother at his house. Thorin walked Dwalin to the door and shut it behind him before turning and looking at Kili. Kili's face fell and he looked down at the floor.

"Kili, you are the worst secret keeper I have ever come across," Thorin said lightly. Thorin and Dis chuckled and then told Fili and Kili to wash up for supper. Fili and Kili walked over to the wash basin and wash their hands and face.

"At least you didn't tell our secret," Fili said with a smile aimed at his brother. Kili looked up at his brother and found himself matching his brother's smile with one of his own. At least he knew he could always keep his brother's secrets.

AN: Please review! Love hearing what everyone thinks! :)